The Irish standard., 1887-04-02

OF NINA at leaSC.J 1udC CIue IellSlOu
we mean, which, Notwithstanding all
the efforts of wit, and genius ill-directed
and learning ill-applied, has lain, and
still continues to lie bedded amongst
the instincts of the mighty heart Of
mankind, governing the tumulting ac-
ton of its passions. and sweetening all
it's impulses, inspiring it with that fine
ly ambitious love which, scorning to fix
itself upon any of the results of nature,
mounts at once to the First Cause as
well as the centre of all beauty, as the
object most worthy of it, and there lies
sheltered with all it's hopes, it's pains,
it's sorrows, and its fears. while the
tempests of human evil roll in harmless
murmurs to it's feet. and the sunlight of
human happiness is made more calm
and sunny by the reflection of it's
smiles The true religion which, far
from steeling the tone of the heart to a
philosophical Indifference las it's calum-
niators say, while they mistake it for
it's ape. fanaticism,) gives keener edge
to sympathy, a warmer pulse to moral
feeling and affection, which bids the
heart be hard to nothing but crime,
cold to nothing but the suggestions OF
evil, and deaf to nothing but the call Of
selfshness, which presents the only and
perfectly satisfactory solution that can
be offered to that mighty enigma. the
creation, and which can make grander
spectacle still than all the material
wonders of that creation--a man, at
least equal to the philosopher in moral
goodness and in dignity of endurance,
and superior to the philosopher in SUBJ
Unity of motive.
Sorrow, however, had been before
hand with piety in the heart of our little
heroine; and though the latter re- con-
quered. or, at all events, contested the
possession of the region with the spoil
er, it could not repair the ravages which
have been already made. The acute
ness of the pang was blunted and made
dull, and sweetness was breathed
upon the fostering wound that tenn
pered and allayed it's anguish; but
neither the danger nor the suffering
were remoyed-for, religion. such as
hers, is soother and paraclete, not a
liberator; and the world would be no
longer a place of probation if it were
otherwise. The last struggle which
Lilly had to maintain against her own
heart was on the day on which Kumba,
after suffering many months to pass
away without daring to intrude upon
the grief of the family, requested (by a
letter, addressed, with a delicacy Of
which he was very capable, and which
Lilly appreciated at it's full worth, to
Mrs. Byrne) to be permitted to visit
them.
Lilly and her mother were both seated
at the breakfasu-table when the mes
senger entered with the note.
"a letter that one left for you,
ma'am."
s'From whom, James?-give it me-"
said Mrs. Byrne.
The servant approached, watching
the eyes of ''the young missiz,'' and
availing himself Of every moment when
they were turned from him, to COM
municate, by hundred cautionary
grimaces, gestures, winks, jerks of the
head, citations of the eyes and mouth.
and other strange contortions, some in
dication of the nature of it's contents.
Mrs. Byrne, however, was not sufficient
" quick of apprehension.
"What do you mean, James? Why
don't you give me the letter."
s'Bekays he toult me-to-you know"
turning his back towards Lilly, and
pointing his thumb silly over his shout
der, while his eyes seemed to reverse
themselves in their sockets)e''he did,
indeed"
"Well, you are the queerest man that
ever lived. He did what? Who did?"
"Mr. Kumba did!'' Numbered the
man, exasperated beyond all patience.
Robert Kumba, sense can't make
you see it-that's what he did. There's
no use in talking!" he added, grumbling,
as he tossed the letter carelessly on the
breakfast table, and turned to depart.
Lilly did not start-nor break tea
cup-nor scream-nor perform any Of
those antics of establishment which,
perhaps, those of my fair readers who
are versed in the stage business of
romance might have expected from
her.
More quick of eye and apprehension
than her mother, she had formed just
conjecture on the subject, from the mo-
ment she beheld the servants caution,
on entering the room, and Mrs. Byrne,
had she looked towards her daughter,
might have seen in her flushed and
whltened forehead, her trembling lip,
and straining bosom, that which would
have saved her the trouble of asking so
many questions, and the sin of putting
James in passion.
str &c from Pohorf. in1ood ~ cold MIRO